Assignment 1: Introduction

Hi, I’m Caitlin! I have just finished studying for my BA in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, and am now going to be a TA for the upcoming year. I have long term goals of becoming a teacher, but before this, I wanted to take the opportunity to travel, and gain invaluable teaching experience while doing so.
I live in the midlands, near Leicester specifically, where I have lived all my life, and so I am excited to travel further than I ever have before, and explore the wonderful country that is Thailand. I am excited for this opportunity to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone, exploring different cultures and a new part of the world.
One of the challenges for me is that I have never travelled to Asia, nor do I speak any Thai, so initially there may be a culture shock and an adjustment period, but by beginning to learn some Thai before I travel, and being open to new experiences, I hope that I can get the best out of my time in Thailand.

Hello everyone! My name is Jasmine and I have just finished the placement year for my course, Politics and International Relations at the University of Bath. I have grown up living in England and have been lucky enough to visit many countries in my life but wish to expand on this and experience fully living and working abroad. Languages have always been a big interest of mine, having studied French and German at both school and college, and I would love to further this skill into other languages. Learning about International Relations has given me a passion for understanding other cultures and discovering the ways in which countries interact with one another. This programme will enable me, not only to earn a qualification in a new skill of teaching, but also to experience the culture of a new country and continent in such an exciting and immersive way. I have not yet decided on a future career trajectory, but I believe that this experience will provide me with an insight into other potential opportunities in teaching. As with any new experience, there will be several challenges to overcome along the way. I have never travelled alone before but I know it will provide me with the most authentic journey as I will be able to form connections with people in a way that I wouldn’t if I were travelling with friends or family. As a person, I am very bubbly and outgoing and keen to meet new people so I know that, although it is a daunting prospect, I will relax into the experience quickly. I am thoroughly excited to meet other like-minded people who are completing the programme as well as the locals in Thailand who will be a big part of my whole experience. The courses provided as part of the programme are also extremely enriching and will benefit me hugely in my understanding of the Thai language, culture and skills needed for teaching abroad.
Best of luck to everyone!
Jasmine

Greetings all! My name is Eric and I am from Washington state (not D.C.) in the U.S., and is has been quite a while since I have been in school as I am almost forty now. When I attended college, I was actually studying to become a high school English teacher, but after about a year in the program, funding was cut to build a new football stadium and I had to change direction and wound up working in finance for the last decade. Of course, with the impact of Covid and the financial meltdown in the U.S., that industry had quite the downturn and I found myself needing to once again change direction and so I thought what better time to pursue my original passion then now. So I did what any sensible mid-aged man would do and sold all my belongs, said goodbye to family and friends and hopped on a plan to Thailand. Lol. I chose Thailand as I have always had an affinity and appreciation for Asian cultures and I used to work with a gentleman from Thailand who had nothing but great things to so say, and so here I am (I may have also listened to, “One Night in Bangkok” by Murray Head one too many times while growing up). Aside from obviously struggling to learn a new language, I want to make sure I learned how to be culturally respectful while I am here as so far things seem markedly different from what I am used to and I do not wish to inadvertently offend someone. Anyway, I look forward to meeting everyone as it looks to be quite the diverse group with many amazing stories to tell. And Justin, great to see someone here from New Orleans; my Dad’s whole side of the family is from there. They used to be based in St. Bernard parish before Katrina hit. Anyway, would love to hear more about your time in New England as I have never been, but always wanted to go. Cheers!

Hi! My name is Ruby, and I’m from Glasgow, Scotland. I have just graduated from Dundee University as a Politics and International Relations undergrad. Despite being born and raised in Scotland, I have been fortunate enough to travel and live abroad, including moving to Malmö, Sweden for a semester as an exchange program with my university. The overall experience was so wonderful, and despite definite challenges and barriers to overcome (including adapting to a new culture/ language, as well as setting myself up with housing/ health insurance etc…) the whole thing was extremely fulfilling and has solidified my desire to travel and push myself further.

Now 21 years old, the prospect of moving to Thailand to travel/ teach is definitely a daunting one, but one I know I am more than capable to achieve. Learning how to teach languages is such an adaptable and rewarding skill, and to be able to achieve this in Thailand, a country so rich in culture, diversity and traditions, would be an incredible experience.

Of course, this kind of experience takes a lot of commitment, hard work and dedication. I understand that there will be significant linguistic and cultural barriers to overcome and adapt to, while I myself will be very far away from home. However, I know that by maintaining a positive and enthusiastic mindset, remaining confident in my abilities, and communicating my thoughts and concerns with my peers around me, I will be able to make the most of such a fantastic opportunity!

I am more than excited for this new challenge to broaden my perspective of the world and the many different people and cultures within it, build upon my confidence and people skills, as well as have the opportunity to create lifelong memories and friends along the way!

Hello everyone,

My name is Bhumi, and I want to take a moment to introduce myself to all of you. I was born in India and later moved to the UK at the age of 15. Recently, I completed my studies at the University of Warwick, where I graduated with a degree in biochemistry. Building on my academic achievements, I have just finished my PGCE chemistry course and will soon be a qualified science teacher. For me, teaching is not just a profession but a means to make a positive impact on the lives of students, motivating them to pursue their passions.

While education has always been a focal point in my life, I am equally passionate about travelling and exploring different countries. Combining these passions has led me to a decision to travel to Thailand. It is an opportunity for me to merge education with cultural immersion. By providing education while immersing myself in new cultures, I hope to create meaningful connections and contribute to the communities I visit.

Beyond the confines of a classroom, I am an avid traveller and a lover of diverse cultures. Exploring the customs, traditions, and ways of life of different communities brings me immense joy. Each encounter broadens my horizons, enabling me to develop a deeper understanding of the world. I firmly believe in the power of building connections with individuals from various backgrounds, and I treasure the friendships that can be formed through intercultural experiences.

Participating in the TEFL program in Thailand perfectly aligns with my aspirations. It provides a platform to merge my passion for teaching with my love for travel and cultural exploration. My commitment is to make a positive impact wherever I go, whether it be through teaching, volunteering, or engaging in sustainable initiatives. I believe that even the smallest contribution can create meaningful change and leave a lasting impression.

Undoubtedly, I expect to encounter various challenges along the way. Adapting to new cultural norms, overcoming language barriers, and navigating unfamiliar environments may pose difficulties. However, I am driven by enthusiasm, open-mindedness, and a thirst for knowledge. These qualities will empower me to overcome any obstacles I face. I am prepared to embrace the unknown, learn from each experience, and grow both personally and professionally.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meet all of you and embark on this exciting journey in Thailand. See you soon!

Hi! My name is Max. I’m 20 years old and I’m from Chester, UK. I have just finished my second year at the University of Bristol studying Geography. I decided to take part in this programme in Thailand as I’ve always wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, and I think by emerging myself deeply into rural Thai cultures this will help me grow massively as a person, as I slowly get towards the end of uni. the main barriers for me probably include the culture shock that may come with the first couple of weeks. By having to navigate the new language and communicate with a younger demographic with this barrier may cause me to to struggle. But not only this the general way of life also. However by as I said above, pushing myself out of my comfort zone, immersing myself into Thai culture then I think I will develop as time goes on, taking in more from this opportunity and experience that is offered to me. Having the chance to meet amazing people who I would have ever thought of meeting, thousands of miles away from what I call home, whilst travelling this beautiful country, developing my personal skills. :))))

Hello everyone,
My name is Helena Boateng, I attend the University of Cambridge and study Human, Social and Political Sciences. I am travelling to Thailand to teach English in the summer before my third and final year of university and I have chosen to do this for a variety of reasons. Firstly, I love education. I believe all children should have access to it and therefore to have the opportunity to teach kids whilst also learning a completely different culture will be such an incredible experience. I have never been to Asia, let alone Thailand, and so my second reason for wanting to embark on this journey is the opportunity to completely explore a culture i have never had access to, and be able to engage in different customs and practices. One challenge I expect to face along the way is that of stamina; I will be teaching for 7 weeks and this will require a lot of tenacity and dedication, but I know the team at GOTOCO will be an amazing support system, helping me persevere and stay on track. I hope to gain new friends, a better and deeper knowledge of Thai culture but above all I hope to leave a profound impact on the children I teach, helping them develop as people not just as students as I know they will help me develop not just as a teacher but as a person myself.

Hello, I’m Kimi and I’m 19 years old. I was born in the UK, moved to Japan and spent most of my life there, and recently moved back to the UK again to start my zoology undergraduate degree at the Uni of Sheffield in September. I have always had a passion for learning and sharing cultures and lifestyles with people, and teaching. I also LOVE Thai food and wanted to learn more about the country so I couldn’t resist the chance of going through Gotoco. Trying to settle in a new country sometimes makes you feel lost but I will try to overcome this by stepping out of my comfort zone and mingling with new people. I hope to create bonds with the people in Thailand, Have a good impact on the education there, and find a new part of myself I never knew existed. I am also gonna experience so many new foods and cultures and I can’t wait x.